Meet Our Dedicated Team
Esther Mugomba-Bird
Tom Mutyabule
Jada Hayes
Lead Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Practice Owner
Chief Operations officer
Practice manager
Esther Mugomba-Bird, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience. She began her career as a registered nurse after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Edison State College (now Florida SouthWestern State College) in Fort Myers, Florida, in 2008. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale in 2010, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in psychiatry in 2013.
Since November 2013, Esther has worked at Naples Community Hospital (NCH) in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. In 2017, she launched NCH’s first outpatient behavioral health clinic, which she independently operated. Her leadership and clinical excellence have been recognized by her peers and community: she was nominated as Nurse Practitioner of the Year in 2020 and was honored by Gulfshore Magazine for her exceptional work and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic across five Southwest Florida counties.
Esther has lived in Florida since 1992 and is the proud mother of one daughter. She enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and spending time with loved ones. Her hobbies include walking, kickboxing, reading, and exploring new foods from around the world.
In 2023, Esther founded Thrive Behavioral Health Services in Tampa with the mission of advocating for individuals struggling with mental health conditions and reducing stigma. She firmly believes that with the right treatment and compassionate care, people living with psychiatric conditions can lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.
Tom Mutyabule serves as COO at Thrive Behavioral Health Services, where he oversees operational strategy, compliance, and organizational efficiency. He holds a Master of Studies in Law from Hamline School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Conflict Resolution from Hamline University, and certificates in Paralegal Studies and Health Care Compliance from Hamline University and the Hamline School of Law Health Care Law Institute.
Tom’s professional background includes roles as a Disability Examiner and Premium Waiver Analyst, Quality Control Analyst, and Contract and Trade Compliance professional. This diverse experience informs his detail-oriented, systems-focused approach to operations and risk management.
Having lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years, Tom is deeply committed to serving underserved communities. He has volunteered with both domestic and international organizations and is passionate about community engagement, cultural exchange, and service. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and learning about different cultures.
Jada Hayes serves as Practice Manager at Thrive Behavioral Health Services, where she oversees the day-to-day operations that support both clinicians and clients. She began her tenure at Thrive as an Administrative Assistant, and her strong performance and deep understanding of practice workflows led to her promotion into practice leadership. In her current role, she manages scheduling, staff onboarding, compliance documentation, and client communications.
Jada holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a minor in Public Relations from Florida Gulf Coast University and has completed credentials in Human Resource Management. This background informs her approach to staff development, workflow optimization, and client relations.
Outside of her work at Thrive, Jada brings nearly a decade of experience in caregiving and child development, which continues to shape her people-centered, compassionate approach to practice management. Based in Brooklyn, New York, she is committed to operational excellence and upholding the highest standards of care at Thrive Behavioral Health Services.